CBS chief Les Moonves took the stage at CES to make it clear that his network is “doing just about everything we can to see what’s going to work now and in the future,” even declaring an end to new media (“we’re just media,” he said.) While many of his guest speakers were already reaffirming existing relationships (Chad Hurley with YouTube and Philip Rosendale with Second Life), he brought up Sling Media CEO Blake Kirkorian to demonstrate a new feature called “Clip + Sling.” If you’re watching TV on your laptop, you can grab a clip of the a video and email it to a friend (it’s hosted on a Sling Media site). For each clip sent, CBS gets a fee, although Moonves didn’t disclose a number. CBS is beta testing the service, which will be released sometime in the second quarter (watch a video demo). One other thing: Moonves said CBS is launching a new initiative with YouTube called “15 Seconds” that encourages users to send in inspirational messages of which the best will air on the network during the Super Bowl. Press releases…
PRESS RELEASE 1 — Leslie Moonves, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS – News and CBS.A – News), gave the keynote address at the 40th Annual International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas today, sharing the stage with a wide range of stars from the interactive community. Joining Moonves were talent from within the CBS Corporation, followed by several partners and associates that CBS is working with in the digital space.
“There’s no such thing as old or new media anymore. We’re just media,” Moonves said. “Whether ‘programming’ means CSI or C++, we’re all playing on the same big digital field.” In his remarks, Moonves emphasized CBS’s multi-faceted approach to embracing the digital opportunity. “In some cases, we’re developing our ideas entirely in house. And in other cases we’re forming partnerships to bring ideas to life,” he said.
Moonves cited a recent CBS report that showed 53% of fans who watched a TV show online turned around and watched the show on the network. “The more the public becomes connected to digital media, the more engaged they become with the content, and with each other.” Introducing those from within the CBS Corporation, Moonves said, “These individuals represent all kinds of perspectives and expertise, and are some of CBS’s most visionary intrapraneurs.”
Featured were:
* Anthony Zuiker, Creator of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, the world’s
largest television franchise. Zuiker described the transformation of his
initial idea into the multi-platform global hit that it is today,
stressing how audience participation has added to the show’s success.
* College Sports Television Founder and President Brian Bedol. Bedol
showcased CSTV’s sports community platform FansOnly, which allows
friends to create their own viewing groups in a virtual Skybox.
* Radio personalities Gregg Hughes and Anthony Cumia, hosts of THE OPIE &
ANTHONY SHOW. Hughes and Cumia explained how online video is turning the
entire world into a virtual studio by inviting listeners to participate
in real-time and by allowing them to stay with the show even when it’s
not on the airwaves.
* Ilene Chaikin and Jennifer Beals, creator and star of Showtime’s THE L
WORD. Chaikin and Beals provided a demonstration of OurChart.com, a new
social networking web site for the lesbian community inspired by the
show.
Moonves then invited several companies that CBS is working with to share the stage. Highlighting the pivotal role of collaboration in shaping the future of content, Moonves said, “These companies are helping us extend the digital and interactive reach of our world class assets, and to build deeper connections with our audiences.” Featured were:
* Linden Lab Founder and CEO, Philip Rosedale. Rosedale showcased the
online virtual world Second Life, where users can create and shape their
content experience each time they enter the space. Rosedale also showed
a machimina, produced by Electric Sheep, featuring two impassioned Star
Trek fans. Following Rosedale’s remarks, Moonves announced that CBS will
be partnering with Electric Sheep to build a Star Trek environment
within Second Life.
* Sling Media Co-Founder and CEO Blake Krikorian. Krikorian introduced a
new application and service from Sling Media called Clip+Sling. Together
with CBS, Sling Media is beta testing a new technology designed to help
audiences share short segments of programming. See related release:
“Sling Media and CBS Announce Beta Test Of New Delivery System for
Video.”
* Chad Hurley, Co-Founder and CEO of YouTube. Hurley talked about the
success of CBS Corporation content on YouTube, and highlighted a contest
that gives YouTube users a chance to have their 15-second personal
message broadcast during CBS Sports Coverage of Super Bowl XLI on
Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007. “Seeing YouTube evolve into a centerpiece of
CBS’s entertainment plans makes me incredibly proud,” Hurley said. (See
related release: “User Generated Video Goes from Online to On-Air in New
CBS/YouTube Campaign.”)
“Anything is possible,” Moonves said. “Audiences know that, content people know that, and innovators in the digital space know that. In the weeks and months to come, we’ll have a lot more news on how we’ll be working with the interactive community in ways both big and small,” Moonves concluded.
PRESS RELEASE 2 — In an exciting collaboration between traditional and emerging
media, CBS Interactive (“CBS”) is giving internet users a chance to have
their personal message to the world seen by millions of television viewers.
CBS has launched a new community campaign called “15 Seconds,” where
viewers post their 15-second inspirational messages on YouTube, and CBS
then chooses the best viewer-videos to be broadcast on the Network.
Selected “15 Seconds” viewer videos will be seen on the CBS Television
Network periodically throughout the season at pre-announced intervals. The
first viewer-video will be broadcast before the game during CBS Sports
daytime coverage of Super Bowl XLI on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007.
Viewers can submit their 15-second taped message now on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/group/15seconds. The videos need to be an inspiring
15-second message on any topic the viewer chooses. Every two weeks, CBS
will select five videos from the “15 Seconds on CBS” YouTube Group and post
them on CBS.com. From the videos posted on CBS.com, the judges will select
at least one video for possible broadcast each calendar quarter on the CBS
Television Network. Viewers submitting videos must be 18 years of age or
older and must abide by YouTube’s Community Guidelines at
http://www.youtube.com/t/community_guidelines. No profanity or nudity will
be accepted. Rules and details regarding CBS’s “15 Seconds” community
campaign can be found on CBS.com at http://www.cbs.com/originals/15_seconds.